British Dressage Announce New Board Director

British Dressage Announce New Board Director

British Dressage is delighted to start the New Year by announcing the appointment of FEI 4* Judge Peter Storr to the Board as Judges Director. Peter has been co-opted to the role for a four year term, with immediate effect, and will take up chairmanship of the Judges Committee as part of his remit, alongside Jane Peberdy who will continue as deputy.

In his riding career, Peter represented Britain at World and European Championships, but since hanging up his boots in 2014 his main focus is on judging, achieving 4* status in 2014 – and also as an internationally renowned trainer, including eight years as the British Pony Team Trainer where he coached the team to achieve gold in 2013 and 2015.

BD Chief Executive Jason Brautigam explained; “Following Jo Graham’s decision to stand down in November, the Board agreed that time was of the essence and we couldn’t let this key role stand vacant for long. We wanted to ensure that there was continuity for the excellent work that Jo initiated in what promises to be another busy year ahead. The Board discussed a few potential candidates and unanimously agreed that, with his international experience as a rider, trainer and judge, Peter would be the ideal person to take judging forward in Britain.”

He continued; “I’d like to thank Jane Peberdy for stepping in to chair the Judges Committee in Jo’s absence and I am sure that she will continue to be tremendous support for Peter as he settles into the role; together they will make a strong team and will be able to progress the judges’ programme for the benefit of all. The Board and I are really looking forward to working with Peter, as he brings a wealth of experience and exceptional credentials at the highest level of our sport.”

Peter will chair his first Judges Committee meeting next Monday and will join the Board for their first meeting of 2018 in mid-February. On his appointment Peter said; “I’m truly delighted to be joining the British Dressage Board and am looking forward to the challenge. My career focus may now be on judging, but I feel I bring a wealth of experience of dressage to my new role having been an elite trainer and rider too. We have a super committee which is strong and passionate about judging and it will be an honour to lead them with Jane, alongside the BD office team.

“My predecessor Jo Graham achieved so much in her two years as Director and made some fairly major changes, so for me in the short term it’s about managing the effective implementation of those changes, giving time for them to establish and building on the positives. It’s my style to be very open to comment and feedback and I’m looking forward to working with the committee, regional representatives, judges and members to keep up the momentum and continue to take things forward.”

Image courtesy of Daisy Jackson Dressage, for illustration only. 

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.